From Pink Skies to Pastries. Saturdays in Solvang
A little weekend escape
From Los Angeles to Ojai and now Solvang - cozy stays, good food, a (very light) return to wine, and wandering through the sweetest small-town streets.
The next morning, after a slow breakfast and one last wander through Ojai, we packed up and kept it moving - heading up the coast (and mountains) toward Solvang.
Solvang feels like you accidentally left California and landed in a tiny Danish town with windmills, storybook buildings, bakeries on every corner. The town leans into its Danish roots, with spots like Elverhoj Museum of History & Art sharing a bit of that history, but honestly, you feel it just walking around.
We stayed just outside of town in Buellton, about 8 minutes away from the downtown area, which ended up being perfect. Quiet, a little more low key, but still surrounded by the cute Danish style pubs and restaurants. Our Airbnb/hotel had perks too - little things that make a difference, like BOGO wine tastings and discounts around town. Always appreciated:)
On their recommendation list, we headed over to Vega Vineyard and Farm, which turned out to be such a good call. Wine tasting but with a twist, there’s also a small petting zoo, sipping on wine and feeding goats is the Saturday evening i didn’t know i needed. It felt very random in the best way.
I will say… this was my first drink in years, so I approached it gently. Few sips in and I was good- fully content. My co-pilot happily stepped in and handled the rest of my tasting flights like a champ. Teamwork!
Dinner that night was at Coast Range. Cozy, good energy, really solid food- unfortunately for this light weight (me) - started feeling a tad sick from my one too many sips of wine so dinner was short but i do recall LOVING the brioche donuts on their dessert menu.
The next day we spent more time actually walking through downtown Solvang, and this is where it really comes to life. It’s very much a “wander and see what you find” kind of place. Bakeries, little shops, wine tasting rooms, sausage garden - you name it!
If you’re there on a Saturday, there’s also this low-key little market for (I believe) Lego Collectors. Lego displays and vendors, which was kind of unexpected but fun to stumble on. It adds to that small town, anything goes kinda charm.
We popped into a few spots for baked goods (yes, those Gluten Breaker pills were working over time this weekend), and of course made a stop at Copenhagen Sausage Garden for what might actually be the best sausage in town.
We started the drive back late afternoon, making one last little stop in Solvang, hoping to catch that pink moment again… but no luck this time. Ojai really set the bar.
We did, however, make it back in time for a light dinner at Ojai Rotie, which more than made up for it. Simple, comforting, really good food that wrapped the trip up perfectly.
Light dinner at Ojai Rotie
Then it was a slow drive back to Los Angeles. My heart is full.
Just a really good weekend… and even better company :)
